Time is fast running out for installers to make their views known on the proposed changes to the Feed-in Tariff (FiT) scheme outlined by the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC).

Energy Minister Greg Barker has announced details of the new look Carbon Reduction Commitment scheme aimed at reducing costs for business.

The CBI has today thrown its weight behind the government’s new national planning framework.

George Osborne has delivered his 2012 budget with little of note for the renewable energy, or energy efficiency sector.

Comedian and impressionist Alistair McGowen has cut the ribbon to open the Practical Installer zone at Ecobuild. Plumb Center has teamed up with other renewables manufacturers to create an area for live practical demonstrations where visitors to London’s Excel Centre will be entertained by 36 installation presentations over the next three days. “You may wonder what I’m doing here,” said McGowen. “But, this was too good an opportunity to turn down. “This is the third year Plumb Center has organised Practical Installer and it will be a busy few days and an informative few days. “Today more than ever we are encouraged to do our bit. Personally, I think the best way to reduce our emissions would be to get Jeremy Clarkson to stop breathing. He added: “I am an ambassador of the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) because it combines my love of the environment and wrestling. So I try and walk the walk as well as talk the talk. “I have been a green spokesman for many years so I am thrilled to see this event generate so much innovation and interest. “Many of the technologies are not just futuristic concepts but are real and here today and will stop us trying to kill Jeremy Clarkson.”

At a Pre-Ecobuild reception in the Houses of Parliament hosted by the BPVA, Minister of State Greg Barker once again spoke of the importance of the PV industry to be one of the major “transformational technologies” that drives Britain towards a lower Carbon Future. He said the Government were committed to working with manufacturers and installers to build a long-term sustainable business, rather than a smaller cottage industry reliant on finite Government subsidies. He said the Government’s targets of 1 million roofs by 2015, and 22GW of PV power by 2020 were challenging but achievable. The Government’s role would be to provide long-term certainty and transparency for the market to take informed decisions. Opening the event, BPVA Chair Reza Shaybani spoke of the importance of Ecobuild in the PV calendar, emphasising that the Uk remains a safe an succesful place for investment and growth.

Suzi Perry will be the guest speaker at this year’s NICEIC Live South.

102 of the UK’s most prominant entrepreneurs, investors, economists, scientists, engineers, energy providers, community builders and MPs have co-signed a letter to Prime Minister David Cameron questioning the government’s support for renewables.

This September’s Renewables Awards will be hosted by television presenter, Gabby Logan.

PV distributors Waxman Energy has promoted Mark Powell to the role of national sales director.